Metal cup abrading machine

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is of a machine - adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal beverage cans - operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration.

United States Patent 191 McCoy 1 1 METAL CUP ABRADING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Thomas A. McCoy, Stockton, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Carando Machine Works, Stockton,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 464,117

[52] US. Cl 51/80 A; 51/88 [51] Int. Cl B24b 5/38 [58] Field of Search 51/80 A, 81 R, 87 R, 88,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1916 Brinkman 51/87 R Nelsen 51/88 June 17, 1975 1,689,512 10/1928 Worton 51/87 R 1,882,769 10/1932 Bugg....... 2,604,018 7/1952 See Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Nicholas P. Godici Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Roger B. Webster [5 7 ABSTRACT The present disclosure is of a machine adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal beverage cans operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17 1975 FIG-/ METAL CUP ABRADING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In one method of manufacturing sheet metal beverage cans, an initially flat sheet metal blank is-in one step-drawn by a die into cup shape, and thereafter in a subsequent step-drawn by another die into a can configuration. Preparatory to such subsequent dieforming step, the cup must be lubricated on the exterior of the circumferential sidewall in order to assure of smooth and even die-forming of the cup into the can configuration. l-Ieretofore, efforts to treat the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of the cup in a manner to assure of retention of the lubricant thereon, for and during said subsequent die-forming step, have not been entirely satisfactory; the present invention having been conceived in a successful effort to accomplish the desired lubricant-retention on said sidewall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides, as a major object, a machine-adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal beverage cans-operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a preformed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration; each cup being individually power-thrust through, while simultaneously rotated in, a zone wherein the cup is subjected on the exterior of the circumferential sidewall thereof to the action of driven high-speed abrading wheels.

The present invention provides, as another important object, a machine, as above, which includes a vertical guideway foro the reception of a stack of the sheet metal cups; the power-thrusting of the individual cups being downwardly in succession from the bottom of the stack and accomplished by driven friction rollers which engage each such cup at opposed points on its sidewall, and in a manner to thrust the cup downward while at the same time causing rotation thereof. As the individual cups are so thrust downward and rotated, they are engaged and abraded on the exterior circumferential sidewall by the high-speed abrading wheels, and which are positioned to work intermediate said rollers.

The present invention provides, as a further object, a metal cup abrading machine which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture.

The present invention provides, as a still further object, a practical, reliable, and durable metal cup abrading machine, and one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is a top plan of the machine.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional elevation taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 2; the roller drive belt being omitted.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing, in perspective, the downward progression, through the abrading zone, of individual cups.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view-taken in the radial plane of the abrading wheels-showing the engagement of such wheels with a cup.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view showing essentially the engagement of the driven friction rollers with a cup.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a fragment of one of the abrading wheels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the machine comprises a horizontal bed 1 supported from and above a floor by legs 2; there being parallel horizontal ways 3 which project beyond opposite ends of the bed I and carry normally locked but adjustable slides 4 whose purpose will hereinafter appear.

Centrally of the ends thereof, the bed I is fitted with a fixed upstanding rectangular frame 5 which includes a horizontal top plate 6 and a horizontal bottom plate 7; the sides of said frame 5 both being open in the direction of the related ends of the bed 1.

Vertically alined, circular openings 8, 9, and 10 are formed in the top plate 6, bottom plate 7, and bed 1, respectively; all such openings being of a diameter to permit the free downward passage therethrough of individual, pre-formed sheet metal cups 11 initially disposed in a stack 12 confined in a vertical guideway comprised of four equidistantly and symmetrically spaced guide rods 13 upstanding, about the opening 8, in rigid relation from the top plate 6. The stack 12 of cups 1] is thus retained in a position for the cups to successively and individually descend-from the bottom of the stack l2-through opening 8, downwardly to and through opening 9, and thence through opening 10 and into a receiver (not shown). In order to guide each cup 11 between openings 8 and 9, and which may be termed the cup abrading zone," the cup is confined between four vertical, rotary spindles 14 alined with guide rods 13 and spanning, in journaled relation, between top plate 6 and bottom plate 7.

A pair of transversely spaced shafts 15 extend between the top plate 6 and bottom plate 7, and such shaftswhich are positioned equidistantly from, but on, opposite sides of the cup guideway formed by the guide rods l3are journaled in top bearings 16 and bottom bearings 17 mounted on plates 6 and 7, respectively.

The shafts 15 project above the top bearings 16, and there are each fitted with a belt-receiving pulley 18; the pulleys l8together with a belt-guiding idler pulley ISL-being simultaneously driven by an endless belt 20 from the drive pulley 21 on the gear box 22 of an elec tric motor 23. The electric motor and gear box unit is supported from bed 1 by standards 24 disposed beyond the shaft-mounting frame 5.

Between top plate 6 and bottom plate 7, and hence in the so-called cup abrading zone" of the machine, the shafts 15 each carry a straight-faced rubber roller 25 of substantial axial extent. The rollers 25 are of a diameter such that their adjacent but spaced-apart working faces frictionally engage opposite sides of each cup 11 received from the bottom of the stack 12 thereof.

As shown, the shafts 15although disposed in parallel vertical planes-are canted in such planes in opposition, and which, of course, similarly cants the friction rollers 25 while their adjacent working faces remain in paralellism. Thus, when the canted rollers are simultaneously driven by belts 20, and at which time the adjacent or working faces of said rollers travel in opposite directions, the rollers 25 actscrew-likeon each cup 11 to accelerate it from the bottom of stack 12 and forcefully thrust the cup downwardly while simultaneously rotating or spinning it about its axis at substantial speed.

Upon each cup 11 being thrust axially downward and simultaneously spun by the friction rollers 25, the circumferential sidewall of such cup is effectively and completely surface-abraded to produce a scratch finish 26 (see FIGS. and 6) having a cross hatched appearance. Such scratch finish 26-which assures of retention of the lubricant applied to the cup before the subsequent die-forming thereof to a can configuration-is produced by means of the following mechanism:

Each slide 4 provides the support for a rigid upstanding bracket 27 which includes-at the top-an in wardly projecting, downwardly, transversely sloping platform 28; the two platforms 28-while disposed on opposite sides of the shaft-mounted frame 5-being of like inclination and horizontally alined.

An electric motor 29 is end-attached on each platform 28, and thence extends outwardly at a right angle thereto. The shaft 30 of each upwardly sloping electric motor 29 projects downwardly through the related platform 28, and therebelow is fitted with a relatively large diameter abrading wheel 31.

The abrading wheels 31-which are adapted to be simultaneously driven by the electric motors 29are of a diameter such that their adjacent but spaced working faces diagonally engage opposite sides of each cup 11 as it is thrust downwardly and simultaneously spun by the friction rollers 25; the abrading wheels extending between said rollers 25 into cup engagement.

Each abrading wheel 31 is of flap-type; i.e., is comprised of a multiplicity of radial, abrasive cloth flaps 32 arranged in an annular pack. In a preferred embodiment, each flap is longitudinally slashed (as shown in FIG. 8) into a number of relatively narrow strips, and which assure of full surface contact with the circumferential sidewall-as well as the rounded bottom corner-of each cup as it passes through the abrading zone.

When the diagonally disposed abrading wheels 31 are in operation, with cups 11 being thrust downwardly and simultaneously spun by the friction rollers 25, such abrading wheels forcefully brush and abrade the circumferential sidewall of each cup, and produce thereon the scratch finish 26. Such scratch finish 26, as hereinbefore noted, has a cross hatched appearance; this for the reason that the diagonal abrading wheels are driven to turn upwardly at their adjacent working faces, and engage opposite sides of each cup.

After the circumferential sidewall of each cup is so abraded, the cup escapes the friction rollers 25, gravitates through opening in bed 1, and thence falls into a receiver (not shown) for subsequent handling.

After a period of use, the abrading wheels 31 may tend to wear, with reduction in the wheel diameter. This is compensated for by adjustment of the slides 4 on the ways 3. Consequently, by a simple adjustment, the abrading wheels 31 can be maintained at all times in proper position for effective brushing and abrading contact with the cups passing through the abrading zone.

While the present invention was developed in specific relation to the manufacture of sheet metal beverage cans, it is to be recognized, of course, that such invention is equally adaptable to the manufacture of similar cans but for different products.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a metal cup abrading machine as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the metal cup abrading machine, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A machine-adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans-operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of preformed sheet metal cups for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cups into a can configuration; said machine comprisingon a supporting structurea guideway arranged to guide the cups for movement through a predetermined abrading zone, power driven means to so move the cups, and power means operative to abrade the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup as moved through such abrading zone; the cup-moving means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart, friction rollers positioned to engage opposite sides of each individual cup, said rollers having their axes in vertical planes parallel to each other and to the path of movement of the cups, and such axes of the rollers being oppositely canted in such planes whereby each rollerengaged cup is moved lengthwise of its axis and simultaneously rotated about said axis by said rollers; and the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels mounted in position to engage the sidewall of each cup as moved and rotated by the rollers, and such engagement of the abrading wheels being diagonally of the cup sidewall at opposite points thereon and intermediate said rollers.

2. A machineadapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans-operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of preformed sheet metal cups for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cups into a can configuration; said machine comprisingon a supporting structurea guideway arranged to guide the cups for movement through a predetermined abrading zone, power driven means to so move the cups, and power means operative to abrade the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup as moved through such abrading zone; the guideway being vertical and guiding the cups for downward movement through the abrading zone; the cup-moving means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart friction rollers having upstanding axes, the roller axes being disposed in vertical planes parallel to each other and to the path of movement of the cups, and such axes of the rollers being oppositely canted in such planes whereby each roller-engaged cup is moved downwardly lengthwise of its axis and simultaneously rotated about said axis by said rollers; and the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels, each including an annular pack of generally radially extending, abrasive cloth flaps, the abrading wheels being mounted in position to engage the sidewall of each cup as moved downwardly and rotated by the oppositely canted rollers,

and such engagement of the abrading wheels being diagonally of the cup sidewall and at opposite points thereon intermediate said rollers.

3. A machine, as in claim 2, in which the abrasive cloth flaps are individually slashed into a number of relatively narrow, lengthwise strips.

4. A machine adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration; said machine comprising a bed, a frame upstanding from the bed, means on the frame arranged to guide the cups for axially downward movement in a path extending through a predetermined abrading zone within the frame, a pair of powerdriven, spaced-apart, friction rollers journaled in connection with the frame and positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup in a manner to impart such downward movement thereto through said abrading zone while simultaneously rotating the cup about its axis, and power driven means mounted in connection with the bed operative to abrade the sidewall of each individual cup as moved through said abrading zone; said cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels positioned to engage the circumferential sidewall of each cup at opposite points thereon intermediate and substantially in the horizontal plane of said rollers.

5. A machine adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration; said machine comprising a bed, a frame upstanding from the bed, means on the frame arranged to guide the cups for axially downward movement in a path extending through a predetermined abrading zone within the frame, a pair of powerdriven, spaced-apart, friction rollers journaled in connection with the frame and positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup in a manner to impart such downward movement thereto through said abrading zone while simultaneously rotating the cup about its axis, and powerdriven means mounted in connection with the bed operative to abrade the sidewall of each individual cup as moved through said abrading zone; the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels disposed with said upstanding frame therebetween and positioned to engage the circumferential sidewall of each cup at opposite points thereon intermediate said rollers.

6. A machine, as in claim 5, including means mounting the abrading wheels in normally fixed relation to the bed but for individual and selective adjustment toward said path of movement of the cups; said adjustable mounting means including, for each abrading wheel, a slide associated with the bed.

7. A machine, as in claim 5, including means mounting the abrading wheels in normally fixed relation to the bed; said mounting means comprising, for each abrading wheel, a bracket upstanding from the bed, and a rigid platform extending horizontally from the bracket; an electric motor corresponding to and having a shaft on which each abrading wheel is secured, the electric motor being mounted on the related platform, and each platform being angularly positioned to dispose the corresponding abrading wheel in diagonal engagement with the sidewall of each cup at a point thereon intermediate the rollers.

8. A machine adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration; said machine comprising a bed, a frame upstanding from the bed, means on the frame arranged to guide the cups for axially downward movement in a path extending through a predetermined abrading zone within the frame, a pair of powerdriven, spaced-apart, friction rollers journaled in connection with the frame and positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup in a manner to impart such downward movement thereto through said abrading zone while simultaneously rotating the cup about its axis, and powerdriven means mounted in connection with the bed operative to abrade the sidewall of each individual cup as moved through said abrading zone; the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels positioned to diagonally engage the sidewall of each individual cup at opposite points and intermediate said rollers as the cup is moved through said abrading zone, and each abrading wheel including an annular pack of generally radially extending, abrasive cloth flaps.

9. A machine-adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans-operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of preformed sheet metal cups for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cups into a can configuration; said machine comprising-on a supporting structure-a guideway arranged to guide the cups for movement through a predetermined abrading zone, power-driven means to so move the cups, and power means operative to abrade the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup as moved through such abrading zone; the cup-moving means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart, friction rollers positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each such individual cup; and the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart, abrading wheels positioned to engage the circumferential sidewall of each such cup at opposite points thereon intermediate and simultaneously with the rollers. 

1. A machine-adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans-operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of pre-formed sheet metal cups for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cups into a can configuration; said machine comprising-on a supporting structure-a guideway arranged to guide the cups for movement through a predetermined abrading zone, power driven means to so move the cups, and powEr means operative to abrade the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup as moved through such abrading zone; the cup-moving means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart, friction rollers positioned to engage opposite sides of each individual cup, said rollers having their axes in vertical planes parallel to each other and to the path of movement of the cups, and such axes of the rollers being oppositely canted in such planes whereby each roller-engaged cup is moved lengthwise of its axis and simultaneously rotated about said axis by said rollers; and the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels mounted in position to engage the sidewall of each cup as moved and rotated by the rollers, and such engagement of the abrading wheels being diagonally of the cup sidewall at opposite points thereon and intermediate said rollers.
 2. A machine-adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans-operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of pre-formed sheet metal cups for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cups into a can configuration; said machine comprising-on a supporting structure-a guideway arranged to guide the cups for movement through a predetermined abrading zone, power driven means to so move the cups, and power means operative to abrade the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup as moved through such abrading zone; the guideway being vertical and guiding the cups for downward movement through the abrading zone; the cup-moving means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart friction rollers having upstanding axes, the roller axes being disposed in vertical planes parallel to each other and to the path of movement of the cups, and such axes of the rollers being oppositely canted in such planes whereby each roller-engaged cup is moved downwardly lengthwise of its axis and simultaneously rotated about said axis by said rollers; and the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels, each including an annular pack of generally radially extending, abrasive cloth flaps, the abrading wheels being mounted in position to engage the sidewall of each cup as moved downwardly and rotated by the oppositely canted rollers, and such engagement of the abrading wheels being diagonally of the cup sidewall and at opposite points thereon intermediate said rollers.
 3. A machine, as in claim 2, in which the abrasive cloth flaps are individually slashed into a number of relatively narrow, lengthwise strips.
 4. A machine adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration; said machine comprising a bed, a frame upstanding from the bed, means on the frame arranged to guide the cups for axially downward movement in a path extending through a predetermined abrading zone within the frame, a pair of powerdriven, spaced-apart, friction rollers journaled in connection with the frame and positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup in a manner to impart such downward movement thereto through said abrading zone while simultaneously rotating the cup about its axis, and power-driven means mounted in connection with the bed operative to abrade the sidewall of each individual cup as moved through said abrading zone; said cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels positioned to engage the circumferential sidewall of each cup at opposite points thereon intermediate and substantially in the horizontal plane of said rollers.
 5. A machine adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration; said machine comprising a bed, a frame upstanding from the bed, means on the frame arranged to guide the cups for axially downward movement in a path extending through a predetermined abrading zone within the frame, a pair of power-driven, spaced-apart, friction rollers journaled in connection with the frame and positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup in a manner to impart such downward movement thereto through said abrading zone while simultaneously rotating the cup about its axis, and power-driven means mounted in connection with the bed operative to abrade the sidewall of each individual cup as moved through said abrading zone; the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels disposed with said upstanding frame therebetween and positioned to engage the circumferential sidewall of each cup at opposite points thereon intermediate said rollers.
 6. A machine, as in claim 5, including means mounting the abrading wheels in normally fixed relation to the bed but for individual and selective adjustment toward said path of movement of the cups; said adjustable mounting means including, for each abrading wheel, a slide associated with the bed.
 7. A machine, as in claim 5, including means mounting the abrading wheels in normally fixed relation to the bed; said mounting means comprising, for each abrading wheel, a bracket upstanding from the bed, and a rigid platform extending horizontally from the bracket; an electric motor corresponding to and having a shaft on which each abrading wheel is secured, the electric motor being mounted on the related platform, and each platform being angularly positioned to dispose the corresponding abrading wheel in diagonal engagement with the sidewall of each cup at a point thereon intermediate the rollers.
 8. A machine adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of a pre-formed sheet metal cup for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cup into a can configuration; said machine comprising a bed, a frame upstanding from the bed, means on the frame arranged to guide the cups for axially downward movement in a path extending through a predetermined abrading zone within the frame, a pair of power-driven, spaced-apart, friction rollers journaled in connection with the frame and positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup in a manner to impart such downward movement thereto through said abrading zone while simultaneously rotating the cup about its axis, and power-driven means mounted in connection with the bed operative to abrade the sidewall of each individual cup as moved through said abrading zone; the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of abrading wheels positioned to diagonally engage the sidewall of each individual cup at opposite points and intermediate said rollers as the cup is moved through said abrading zone, and each abrading wheel including an annular pack of generally radially extending, abrasive cloth flaps.
 9. A machine-adapted for use in the manufacture of sheet metal cans-operative to prepare, by abrading, the exterior of the circumferential sidewall of pre-formed sheet metal cups for the reception and retention of a lubricant as requisite to proper die-forming of such cups into a can configuration; said machine comprising-on a supporting structure-a guideway arranged to guide the cups for movement through a predetermined abrading zone, power-driven means to so move the cups, and power means operative to abrade the circumferential sidewall of each individual cup as moved through such abrading zone; the cup-moving means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart, friction rollers positioned to engage opposite sides of the circumferential sidewall of each such individual cup; and the cup-abrading means comprising a pair of driven, spaced-apart, abrading wheels positioned to engage the circumferential sidewall of each such cup at opposite points thereon intermediate and simultaneously with the rollers. 